RD Freeflow questions

[HarleyGarage]

So much great info and pics posted that making a decision seems easy. Last 2 concerns are winter impact (salt & sand) and UV stability.
Nebraska figures it's better to keep battling the weather with salt and sand. As the winter fades I'm cleaning cakes of salt from every crack in the floor. Question: How easy is this if I installed something like RaceDeck Freeflow? Seems like you would easily see the salt through the gaps in the tile. And how well does it hold up to the months of grit grinding against it? Then lastly, how well does it handle the UV rays? Fade? Degrade? Love all the input and debate and the pictures are over the top! Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[66HertzClone]

In my experience here in NJ, the FreeFlow was a good choice under the daily drivers. The slush up in the wheel wells would melt, fall off the cars and then disappear into the Freeflow tiles. No big puddles around anymore so everyone is happy. The grit is visible through the tiles, In the spring I use a push broom to loosen up the grit that has accumulated under the tile and follow up with the shop vac using a wide wand and extension tubes so I'm not on my hands and knees. I later followed up with the hose and sprayed from the wall of the garage towards the doors flushing what remained out.

I've had no issues with the tiles being effected by the exposure to salt, can't say about UV rays as my garage is on the north side of our house so no direct sunshine. I'm sure someone at Racedeck can answer that question for you.

 

[SteveCh]

I have the UV-protected version of FreeFlows in my carport. They are less than a year old, so I cannot testify to the quality of that protection. So far, great. They UV-resistant version is found on their web site under the outdoor selection of tiles, such as for swimming pools surrounds or outdoor decks. The style is exactly the same as those listed under the garage section, though the color options are more limited.

This is my first winter with the tiles, and it has been a memorable season, more snow and ice than normal for us. Lots of road slush dripping off the undercarriage of the truck. The usual. As advertised, the slush eventually, given a slight warming of the air, does "disappear" down through the tiles. Spring will tell whether I decide I must take up some tiles to wash any leftovers off the concrete floor. Maybe, maybe not. Can't say yet.

There is no sign of discoloration or degradation of the tiles from the road salts and magnesium chloride our county spreads on the roads. And, I doubt there will be, because others who have had their tiles far longer than I have would be complaining about it. And I've read nothing of the sort here.

 

[HarleyGarage]

Thanks for posting your info. A sales pitch is nice but the real life experience is what brings it into focus for me. Thanks again!